UK.     LJWf 


Duke  University  Libraries 

Communication  o 
Conf  Pam  #442 

DTTDfi2bl3 


^  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  January  10,  I860.— Re- 
ferred to  Special  Committee  on  Impressmeuts,  and  ordered  to  be 
printed. 


[By  the  Cuair.J 


MESSAGE  OF  THE  PRESIDENT. 

Uicu.MONJ),   \'  A,,  .Ian.  0,  1865. 

To  the  Ilomt  of  Jteprescidat'cces : 

111  response  to  your  resolution  of  the  UHLi  November  last,  I  liere- 
witli  transmit  a  ci'ininunication  from  tlie  Secretary  of  War,  wliicli 
conveys  the  information  desired,  relative  tj  the  impressment  of 
brandy,  so  far  as  the  records  of  his  office  enable  him  to  furnish  it. 

JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


COMMUNICATION  OE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR. 

CojfFBDEKATB   StATKS    OF   AmFRICA,  ] 

War  Department^  v 

Richmond,  Va.,  January  5,  1865.      ) 

To  the  Predidviot  of  the  Votifederate  States: 

Sir: — t  have  received  the  following  resolution  of  tUe  House  of 
Ril)re3entative-},  referred  by  your  Excellenc}'-  to  this  Department: 

'*  Resofced^  L'liat  the  President  be  respectfully  reij nested  to  cause 
llic  proper  ortieer  to  communicate  tu  this  House,  copies  of  all  orders 
whicli  iiave  been  issued  to  impressing  officers  directing  tlie  impress- 
ment of  brandy,  and  also  to  inform  tlie  House  what  (quantity  of 
brandy  has  been  impressed,  and  what  disposition  has  been  made  of  it." 

In  response,  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  a  report  from  the 
Commissary  (ieneral,  containing  such  information  on  the  subject  mat- 
ter of  the  resolution,  as  the  records  of  lii-^  I3are;iu  enable  him  to  fui'- 
ni'^h. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JAMES  A.  SEDDUN, 

Secretary  of  War. 


tEDP:KATE  States  of  Amkkica,  ^ 

Suhsistcnce  Dc])ar1meiit^  > 

iichiiioiid,  January  3d,  1865.      > 


REPORT  OF  THE  COMMISSARY  GENERAL 

111  response  to  Resolution  of  ITonsc  of  Representatives  of  lOtli  No- 
vember, 1804,  concerning  Impressment  of  Brandy  in  \^irginia  and 
North  Carolina. 

Coniedp:kate  States  of  Amk] 

Rich] 
Iloii.  James  A.  Seddon,  Secretary  of  ^Yar,  C.  S.  A.: 

Sir  :  In  reply  to  the  resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of 
19th  of  Nc»vember,  ISli  I,  communicated  by  3'ou  to  me  (»n  the  22d  of 
November,  in  reference  to  the  Impressment  of  Brandy  in  tlie  States  of 
Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following 
report : 

The  impressment  of  brandy  in  tliese  States  was  rendered  necessary 
l)y  the  fact,  tliat  all  the  corn  made  in  them  being  needed  for  the  sub- 
sistence of  the  men  and  animals  of  the  Arm}^  of  Northei-n  Virginia, 
none  of  it  CMdd  be  consumed  in  the  manufacture  of  whiskey  to  be 
used  as  stunuhmt  and  in  making  vinegar;  and  the  very  limited  means 
of  transportation  would  not  sulfice  to  bring  corn  for  tliat  purpose  from 
llie  Southern  States. 

The  impressment  was  also  strongly  recommended  by  the  Medical 
Director  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  and  the  Surgeon  General, 
on  the  grounds  that  the  lu-andy  was  needed  as  a  stimulant  for  men  in 
hospital,  and  tliat  the  sale  of  it  by  citizens  to  the  troops  was  producing 
most  injurious  results,     (See  letters  enclosed.) 

I  enclose  herewith  copies  of  all  orders  which  have  been  issued 
from  this  Bureau  on  the  subject.  I  cannot  state  the  quantity  thus  far 
impressed,  as  I  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  the  information  from  the 
officers  in  cluirge  of  tiie  various  districts.  Report  from  one  district  in 
North  Carolina  shows  the  impressmeiit  of  (1,858?,  gallons,  and  the 
Depot  Commi.-isaiy  in  tliis  city  has  received,  from  all  sources  in  the 
two  States,  thus  far,  ll,7i^3?,  gallons.  The  quantity  thus  far  received 
is  so  small,  and  S(;  much  less  than  it  was  expected  the  inqjressment 
would  realize,  that  none  of  it  can  be  issued  as  stimulant.  It  wdll  by 
no  means  afford  the  needed  supply  of  vinegar. 

An  arrangement  has  been  made  with  the  Medical  Departiuont,  by 
which  tlie  othci'r>  <jf  this  I 'epartment  are  to  impi'ess  for  its  officers 
such  biaiidy  as  is  indicated  by  them.  It  is  not  known  wliat  quantity 
has  ]>een  impressed  <>ii  iliclr  account. 

I  am,  sir,  \H\vy  respectfully, 

Vour  obedient  servant, 

L.  B.  NORTHROP, 
Comm'y  General  C.  S.  Army. 


LETTER  OF  SURGEON  GENERAL.  ' 

Confederate  Statics  of  America,  ) 

Surg f on  GencraVs  Office^      V 

^  Richmond,  Va.,  Sept.  ?>Otb,  186-!-.  ) 

Sir.:  1  liave  the  honor  t(^  invite  your  attention  to  the  following 
extract  IVoiu  a  letter  of  Surgeon  L.  Guild,  Medical  Director  A.  -^'^•^^•i 
and  to  request  that  authority  be  fjjiven  to  tiie  proper  ofKcers,  i  >r  me 
impressment  of  brandy  in  the  localities  suggested  by  Surgeon  Guild, 
both  as  a  sanitary  ineasure,  and  as  a  means  of  supply  of  alcoholic 
stimulants  for  this  department, 

"An  etlbrt  has  been  made,  1  understand,  to  secure  this  year'!^  cro|3 
of  apples  for  the  pur])ose  of  mating  vinegar  for  the  army,  but  it 
appears  that  the  people  in  many  sections  of  the  country,  have  con- 
verted their  apples  into  brandy,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  army, 
especially  in  the  southern  ])ortion  of  Virginia  and  the  northern  part  of 
North  (-arolina,  the  pernicious  ])ractice  of  vending  this  highly  injurious 
and  unhealthy  li(|ui>r  to  the  soldiers,  has  been  adopted,  I  would  sug- 
gest, that  all  "of  this  apple  or  peach  brandy  be  seized  by  the  Connnis- 
saryand  Medical  Departinonts,  and  all  that  can  be,  should  be  con- 
verted into  vinegar,  and  the  rest  used  for  the  ]>reparation  of  tinctures 
of  tonic  indigenous  barks. 

The  Chief  Commissary  of  the  army  is  unable  to  fui-nish  vinegar  to 
the  tro(»ps,  in  such  ([uantity  or  of  such  quality  as  is  necessary.  T  have 
had  frequent  conversations  with  him  on  this  subject,  and  have  urged 
the  expediency  of  seizing  the  li([Uor  which  has  been  distilled  from 
fruit,  which  should  have  been  used  for  making  vinegar. 

Col.  Cole  informs  me  that  he  has  found  mucli  difticulty  in  obtaining 
the  authority  requisite  for  the  seizure,  and  I  would  ask  that  you  place 
the  matter  before  the  Hon,  Secretary  of  War,  and  use  your  own  in- 
fluence in  accomplishing  an  object  so  important  to  the  maintenance  of 
the  health  and  vigor  of  our  army,"' 

Very  respectfully,  your  obd't  servant, 

S.  P.  MOORE,  Surg.  Gen.  C,  S.  A. 
llun,  Jas.  a.  Seddon,  Sec'y  of  War.  Tlichmond,  Va. 


On  the  above  were  the  following  endorsements  : 

S,  P,  Moore,  Surg.  Genl.  C.  S.  A. 

Pichmond,  Va.,  Sept.  30th,  186-i. 

Calls  the  attention  of  the  Hon.  Secretary  of  War  to  an  extract 
from  letter  of  Surgeon  Gulld^  Medical  Director  A.  N.  V.,  in  relat4on 


4- 

to  impressment  of  apple  and  peach  brandy  in  Southern  Vii'ginia  and 
Northern  N.  Carolina. 

To  Com.  General :  What  do  you  advise  in  relation  to  these  articles  ? 
If  impressment  is  to  be  made  of  them,  it  had  bettsr  be  done  bj  your 
officers 

Ut  Oct.  '64.  (Si<rned)  J.  A.  S. 

Bureau  of  Subsistence,  ) 
/'  Richmond,  Octol)er  4,  1864.      J 

Respectfully  returned  to  the  Hon.  Sec'y  of  War.  The  C.  G.  S.  has 
no  objection  to  this  impressment  being  made  by  the  officers  of  this 
Department,  and  is  clearly  of  opinion  that  the  impressment  should  be 
made  :  it  is,  however,  proper  to  state,  that  inasmuch  as  the  law  requires 
immediate  payment  to  be  made  for  all  property  impressed,  from  the 
lack  of  funds,  the  officers  of  this  Department  have  been  unable  to  im- 
press articles  of  subsistence  proper. 

(Signed.)  L.  B.  NORTHROP,  C.  G.  S. 

To  Com.  Gen'l:  If  you  impress  for  the  Med.  Bureau  it  may  be  able 
to  furnish  funds  of  its  own ;  otherwise,  you  must  send  in  requisition, 
and  let  the  case  be  submitted  to  the  Hon.  Secretarv  of  the  Treasury. 

8th  Oct.  1864.  (Signed.)  J.  A.  S. 

Bureau  of  Subsistence,         ) 
Richmond,  Oct.  11,  1864.  f 

Respectfully  referred  to  Surg.  General.  This  Biu-eau  has  no  funds 
with  which  to  make  impressments  of  brandy  and  whiskey.  If  the 
Medical  Bureau  can  furnish  them,  the  officers  of  this  Bureau  will 
make  the  impressments. 

(Signed.)  L.  B.  NORTHROP,  C.  G.  S. 

S.  G.  O.,  Oct.  15, 1864. 

Respectfully  returned  to  the  Commissary  General,  with  the  infor- 
mation that  the  brandy  will  be  paid  for  by  the  officers  of  this  Depart- 
ment when  delivered  to  them.  The  following  Purveyors  are  desig- 
nated as  the  proper  officers  to  receive  and  pay  for  the  brandy 
impres8edj)y  the  Commissary  Department : 

Surgeon  E.  W.  JOHNS,  Kichmond,  Va. 
"       JNO.  CLOPTON,  Danyille,  Va. 
"       R.  K.  TAYLOR,  Lynchburg,  Va. 
Assistant        «       W.  B.  ROBERTSON,  Wytheville,  Va. 
"       JAS.  T.  JOHNSON,  Charlotte,  N.  C. 

(Signed.)  S.  P.  MOORE,  SurgeoM  Gen'l  C.  S.  A. 


COPY  OF  TELEGKAM  CIRCULAES 

Issued  by  the  Chief  Commissary  Subsistence  for  Virginia,  relative  to 
purchase  and  Impressment  of  Brandy  and  Whiskey  in  Yirginia. 

(Copy.)  Confederate  States  of  Amebica," 

Subsistence  Deparime?it, 
Office  Cn.  Commissary  for  Va., 
Richmond,  Oct.  4, 1864 

Circular. 

Our  army  being  greatly  in  need,  you  will  procure  without  delay,  all 
brandy  and  whiskey  in  your  district,  from  purchase,  impressment  and 
detailed  fannoi-s.  Hunt  it  up.  Act  promptly  and  report  q^uantitj 
collected. 

(Signed.)  B.  P.  KOLAND,  Maj.  &  Chf.  C.  S.  for  Va. 


Richmond,  Nov,  8, 18<?4. 

Circular  Telkoram. 

Instruct  your  officers  and  agents  that  when  ]>artie:^  will  sell  to  the 
Government  at  schedule  price  one-half  their  brandy  and  whiskey, 
they  will  grant  ^^rotection  to  market  for  the  other  half. 

(Signed.)  13.  V.  POLAND,  Maj.  v-t  Chf.  C.  S.  for  Va. 

Official  copy.— 11.  S.  REYNOLDS,  Capt.  &  A.  C.  S. 
Richmond,  Va.,  Dec.  10,  1S64. 


(Copy.)  Richmond,  Oct.  8th,  1864. 

Maj.  "W.  "W".  Morrison,  Goldsboro',  N.  C: — Secure  by  purchase 
and  impressment,  without  delay,  as  much  brandy  as  possible,  for  use 
of  army.  Allow  price  in  October  Schedule.  Tannahill  directed  to 
pay  same  in  his  district. 

By  order  Commissary  General. 

(Signed.)  J.  C.  ABRAMS,  Capt.  it  A.  C.  S. 


(Copy.)  Richmond,  Oct.  8th,  1864. 

Major  E,  M.  Lowe,  Charlotte,  N.  C.  :^Secure  by  purchase  and  im- 
pressment, without  delay,  as  much  brandy  as  possible,  for  use  of  the 
army.     Allow  price  to  be  fixed  in  October  Schedule. 

By  order  Commissary  General. 

(Signed.)  J.  C.  ABRAMS,  Capt.  &  A.  C.  S. 


i 

(Copy  of  Telegram  sent  in  reply  to  one  from  Major  Mon-ison  asking 
instructions  in  i-elation  to  collection  of  brandy  ordered  Oct,  Stli.) 

Richmond,  Oct.  18th,  1864. 

Major  W.  W.  Morrisox,  Goldsboro',  JN".  C. : — Eely  on  impressment 
and  Schedule  rates. 

(Signed.)  S.  B.  FRENCH.  Major  &  C.  S. 

NovEMBEK  5tli,  't34. — Yerl)al  order  given  Major  Jas.  Sloan,  Greens- 
boro', to  secure  all  brandy  po>;silile  for  the  army,  by  purchase  or  im- 
pressment. 


LETTEIl  Vmm  EOliEHT  TANNAHILL,  MAJOR  &  C.  S. 

Subsistence   Dei'Aetmext,      [ 
Petersburg,  Va.,  October  23(1,  1864.  ) 

Maj.  B,  P.  ISToLAND,  Ch.  C.  S.  tbr-V-n.,  Richmond  : 

Major  : — The  enclosed  telegram  explains  itself. 

Please  ascertain  of  Dr.  Johns,  himsdf,  who  are  his  authorized 
agents  for  the  purchase  of  brandy  in  my 'district,  the  rates  he  is  pay- 
ing, and  tiansniit  me  tlie  information.  I  have  directed  my  agents  "to 
recognize  no  agent  unless  he  has  orders  in  writing,  as  there  are  so 
many  persons  sjieculating  in  the  article  under  bogus  orders.  If  the 
agents  of  the  Medical  Department  are  authorized  to  pay  J=^  30  or  the 
market  price,  the  agent  of  this  Department  cannot  ],m-  at  Schedule. 
as  it  is  all  for  Government. 

Veiy  respectfully,  youi'  ob't  eervant, 

llOBT.  TANNAHILL, 

Major  &  C.  S. 

P.  S.' — If  Dr.  Johns'  agents  are  buying  in  good  faith  foi-  his  De- 
partment, I  ];resnme  they  pay  detailed  farmers  same  as  othei-s.  This 
is  wrong,  of  course.  I  sliall  see  Gen.  Lee's  Medical  Pnrs'cyor,  and 
show  him  coj)y  enclosed  telegram,  and  arrange  with  him  to  stop  the 
existing  competition,  if  it  exists,  aiul  shall  also  take  the  brandy  men- 
tioned if  not  all  O.  X. 

On  the  above  were  the  following  endorsements : 

Petersburg,  Oct.  23,  1864. 

R.  Tanxauill,  Maj.  &  C.  S. :— Ascertain  from  Dr.  Johns  who  his 
agents  are,  tlie  ])i-ice  he  is  paying  for  bi-andy,  and  give  him  informa- 
tion no  agent  recognized  unless  with  ordei-s  in  writing. 

Telegram  enclosed. 


OtFICE    CulEF    C.    S.    FOK    Va.,  ) 

Eichmond,  Oct.  26,  1864.  \ 
Respectfully  referred  (through  the  C.  G.  S.)  to  the  Surgeon  General, 
at  whose  suggestion  the  purchase  and  impressment  of  brandy  and 
whiskey  were  ordered  to  l)c  uuidc  by  tlie  officers  of  this  Department, 
in  Virginia.  They  have  been  actively  engaged  in  securing  all  they 
can,  but  are  limited  to  the  (Schedule  price,  which  h  '^  10,  and  it  is  re- 
spectfully requested  that  the  agents  of  the  Medical  Department  be 
also  instructed  to  conform  thereto. 

B.  P.  XOLAND,  Major  6c  Chf.  C.  S.  for  Va. 

IJUKBAU   OF   SUBSISTENCIJ,        ) 

Richmond,  October  31,  1864.  ) 

Kespcctfullv  referred  to  the  Surgeon  General. 

L.  B.  KORTllllOP,  C.  G.  S. 

S.  G.  Office,  jS"ov.  a,  1S6J-. 

Respectfully  returned  to  t'ac  Commissary  General. 

The  .Medical  Purveyors  having  agents  engaged  in  procuring  brandv, 
will  be  ordered  to  discontinue  purchasing  at  ^30  per  gallon,  with  the 
understanding  tiiat  the  Commissary  General  will  instruct  his  agents 
to  impress  any  brandy  required  tor  this  Department. 

Bv  order  of  the  Surgeon  General. 

TIIOS.  H.  WILLIAMS,  Surg.  C.  S.  A. 


} 


S.  G.  O.— liec"  Nov.  1st,  1864, 

Bureau  of  Subsistence, 

Richmond,  Nov.  5,  1864. 

Ilespectfully  returned  to  Surgeon  General,  who  is  ordered  to  desig- 
nate his  agents  for  the  purchase  of  brandy,  and  their  localities,  in 
order  that  the  officers  of  this  Bureau  may  be  instructed  to  impress  all 
that  may  be  indicated  bv  them. 

L.  B.  NORTHROP,  C.  G. 

S.  G.  O.,  Nov.  8,  1864. 

Respectfully  returned  to  the  Commissary  General. 

Surgeon  E.  W.  JOHNS,  Richmond,  Xa. 

JAS    T.  JOHNSON,  Charlotte,  N.  C. 
"         R.  K.  'J'AVLOR,  Lynchburg,  Va. 
Ass't       "         W.  13.  ROBERTSON,  AVytheviUe,  Va. 

were  autlinri/ed  and  instructed  to  procure  brandy  for  this  Department. 

Bv  order  of  the  Surgeon  General. 

THOS.  H.  WILLIAMS,  Surg.  C.  S.  A. 

Rec'd  &.  G.  O.,  (back),  Nov.  S.,  1864. 


6 

Bureau  of  Subsistence,      ) 
Riclimond,  12tli  November,  1864.  j 

Respectfully  referred  to  Chief  C.  S.  for  Yirgiiiia,  veto  will  instruct 
his  officers  and  apjents  to  impress  such  brandy  as  may  be  indicated 
by  the  Medical  officers  named  in  the  endorsement  of  the  Surgeon 
Geucral,  they  furnishing  funds  with  which  to  make  payment. 

By  order  0.  G.  S. 

T,  U.  DUDLEY,  Jr.,  Major  &  C.  S. 

Office  Chief  C.  S.  fok  Va.,  } 
Richmond,  Nov.  16,  18G4.      f 

Respectfully  referred  to  Major  Ro.  Tannahill.  C.  S.,  for  his  informa- 
tion, and  who  will  instruct  his  officers  according  to  the  orders  of  the 
C.  G.  S.,  and  return  this  paper  promptly  to  tliis  office. 

By  order  Chf.  C.  S.  for  Ya. 

H.  S.  REYNOLDS,  Capt.  &  A.  C.  S. 

Office  Chf.  C.  S.,  Pecersbm-g,  Nov.  29,  1864. 

Respectfully  returned  to  Maj.  B.  P.  Noland,  Chf.  C.  S.  for  Ya. 
ROBT.  TANNAHILL,  Maj.  &  Chf  C.  S. 


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